About 10 days ago my car lost power going up a hill and the CEL light came on. I immediately took it to my local indy and then we had it towed to the Mini dealer. On Friday, my service advisor called to tell me it had a burnt valve and scoring inside several of the cylinder walls. Time for a new engine.

The car has ~42k on it so the question is while I am "in there" what else should be done? I am thinking at least the clutch. Anything else?

Also, what affect will this have on my resale value? First thought is that it should add a bunch since it'll have a new engine/clutch and a 2 year warranty on the new stuff, but then I wonder if potential buyers run away when they see that a car has had an engine replacement?

 

I'm wondering if you think that is reasonable for engine failure after 42k miles? How did you burn the valves?
Don't you want to figure all that out so your next engine lasts longer? Are you sure the timing chain wasn't the cause for the engine issue?

Mike

 

Of course engine failure at 42k isn't reasonable and I think that is why most of the cost is being covered by Mini. My receipts indicate the prior owner of the car had the entire timing chain assembly replaced in Feb 2012 @ 25k miles so I think it was fine. My indy mechanic tried to explain to me how the burnt valve could have happened from the engine running too lean, but I don't really think I'll know for sure until Mini has more time to diagnose. It was late Friday when I got the call from my SA with the news.

 

I am glad they are covering most of it. Keep us updated.

 

It won't increase resale value. Nothing you can do to a car will ever increase the resale value. Even if you do not drive it, resale will always go down. Maybe not as fast, but down none the less.

Now in terms of what to do while you're there. Check the Thermostat and water pump. If they haven't already been done, It'd probably be time to replace. That is assuming they are rebuilding the engine. If its a full crate engine, then that should include a new thermosat and water pump. But I'd check with your SA on that to be sure. I wouldn't want to assume anything with a repair this serious.

Other than that, I can't think of anything that would be more advantageous at this time as opposed to any other time. Perhaps someone else may have a recommendation that isnt coming me at this time.

 

The lower mileage engine is a plus, keep all the documents. That said, it won't necessarily add value. But if it was a choice between your car and one with an older engine, yours is first pick.

 

wow, I am really confused. Sorry, OP, I can't offer any advice, but I don't understand why this is not fully covered under warranty. My understanding is that 2009's had the 4/50k warranty just like 2013's/2014's.

Burnt valve and scoring? If this motor is stock and has been serviced properly, why isn't Mini covering ALL of the expense?

 

Warranty on my car expired ~18 months ago so anything they do will be considered "goodwill".

 

I assumed you were getting a new motor at your expense and Mini told you it was expected to last only 42K due to your driving habits or something like that. I like my dealer but there are issues with the dealers in some areas. Please let us know how it goes and what they find.

Mike

 

Ah, I see, well I guess it's a good thing then that they are picking up any of it....a good will gesture I'm sure. I wouldn't think any car maker would want news of a motor replaced at 42k miles w/o at least trying to make it right by the customer....the dead motor at 42k is bad enough...they don't need a truly PO'd customer as well, I guess.

Best of luck...

 

Well that's what they now have. Best they will do is pick up 75% of the cost. My SA planted the seed that 90/10 might work so given that 75/25 is the best they will do, I am committed to getting the work done and selling it as quickly thereafter as I can. Mini has lost a customer for life.

I get that I am out of the time portion of my warranty (expired 18 months ago) but I am still well within the mileage part (42k vs 50k warranty) so am essentially being screwed for not driving it more.

 

Year and a half out of warranty and they are covering 75%?? Sounds to me like they're being VERY generous!

 

Sorry to hear we are losing you in the MINI community. It sucks that your dealer hasn't realised that at 42k (Miles?) an engine needs replacing is acceptable?

In Australia that wouldn't be acceptable at all. We have "Lemon Laws" and also expected life of the vehicle. 42k and having to replace the engine would not be acceptable at all!

BMW/MINI here would argue until they are blue in the face however. =(

 

I would replace all of the coolant hoses and maybe the reservoir tanks for coolant, wiper fluid etc.

 

IF u plan to keep the car for a while
New clutch, water pump, belt tensioner and idlers and vacuum pump. No need to do coolant hoses unless really soft or hard or oil was in the coolant. Change oil every 5k miles using quality hemp filter, not paper. replace most vacuum lines under intake manifold to the vacuum control valve.

 

I think I have beat your engine replacement record. Mine was replaced @40k, its a 09 MCSa. If you are getting an reman engine from bmw/mini, it should have a new water pump installed in the new engine.

 

Guys I appreciate the feedback but I sold the car a week after getting the new long block put in at the dealer. It's been gone for 3 months now. Never should have replaced my 05 MCS with the 09 JCW.

 

Out of curiosity, how much were you out of pocket on the new engine? I'm a tad concerned for my car, as I don't get to drive it much.

I have a Harley I bought new, it is now 3 years old with 1500 miles on it. Just out of warranty, it started falling apart...well I'm SOL on that deal.

 

My bill was $2,300 (20% of the total).

 

ahhh so it was @ TEN GRAND for a new motor? Think I would push it off a very big cliff...